Weekly Bulletin

Graduate employees non-degree student application and registration

University employees who hold baccalaureate degrees and wish to use their employee waiver to take a course this fall must apply or renew their status as non-degree graduate students, even if seeking enrollment in an undergraduate course.

Application/registration and tuition waiver forms are available through the Graduate Records Office, 534 Goodell. Course registration using the telephone registration system begins Aug. 29 and ends Sept. 18.

Employees should note that tuition and fee waivers are taxable and appropriate withholding will be deducted from weekly paychecks during the fall semester.

For information, call the Graduate Records Office at 5-0024.

Social Security representatives to assist international scholars

Representatives of the Social Security Administration will be at Cance House in Southwest on Wednesday, Aug. 29, and Friday, Aug. 31 from

9 a.m.-noon to process Social Security card applications for international students and scholars. Applicants should bring their passports and visa documents.

For information, call 5-2843.

2002 calendars and planners

Office and Classroom Supplies is not stocking year 2002 calendars and planners. These items are now readily available at comparable prices through University contract vendors such as Corporate Express and can be easily purchased using a ProCard or purchase order. By encouraging departments to purchase dated items directly, OCS will not have any overstock to dispose of in the spring, as has been the case when buying calendars and planners in bulk quantities in the past. This will reduce not only the overall cost, but also the burden on the Waste Management program.

Departments needing assistance contacting Corporate Express or other office supplies vendors can call Eileen Sousa, OCS customer service representative at 5-3071.

TB testing clinics scheduled

University Health Services has scheduled a series of walk-in TB testing clinics for new employees and students in the Lincoln Campus Center.

All of the clinics run from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. During the times of the clinics, appointments for TB tests and readings will not be available at UHS.

The clinic dates are Aug. 24, 27, 29 and 31 and Sept. 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 and 14.

For more information, call Patient Services at 7-5101.

Graduate degree requirements

Graduate program directors are reminded to inform candidates to receive graduate degrees dated Sept. 1, 2001 that all requirements must be completed and all documents submitted to the Graduate School's Office of Degree Requirements, 534A Goodell, by Friday, Aug. 31. No extensions of the deadline will be granted and no certifications will be made retroactively, according to Patricia Stowell, associate graduate registrar.

Preschool openings at University Child Care

University Child Care has preschool openings in the full-day and flexible day programs beginning Monday, Sept. 4. Childcare tuition rates are based on a sliding fee scale determined by family size and household income. Subsidies are currently available through the University and social service agencies.

UCC provides childcare services for children ages 15 months to 5 years. University students and employees are eligible to enroll their children in the program.

The program is open weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a variety of drop off and pick up options. The center is closed on holidays, the week between Christmas and New Year's and five curriculum days per year.

For information or to request an application, call 5-1566.

Volunteers needed for New Student Convocation

Faculty, staff and other University community members are needed to serve as ushers and greeters at the annual New Student Convocation, scheduled to take place on Sunday, Sept. 2, 8 p.m., at the Mullins Center. All University community members are invited to participate in this effort to welcome the Class of 2005. Volunteers should report to the north doors of the Mullins Center at 6:45 p.m. Attire for the event is casual - UMass attire is suggested.

For more information, contact Michael Wiseman, Office of Greek Affairs, at 5-2711.

Whipple previews season at Sports Luncheon

Football coach Mark Whipple, members of his coaching staff and team captains will be the featured guests at the first Weekly Sports Luncheon of the year on Wednesday, Aug. 29 at noon in Berkshire Dining Commons.

The cost of the buffet lunch is $6.50 per person. Call 5-4289 for reservations.

Campus hosts Community Breakfast Aug. 30

The annual Community Breakfast, hosted by the University in cooperation with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 30, from 7:45 to 9 a.m. at Franklin Dining Commons.

Open to the public, the event marks the beginning of the academic year and offers a chance for representatives of the local academic and business communities to meet and discuss common goals and issues.

Tickets to the annual breakfast are $4.75 per person, payable at the door. Limited parking is available in Lot 62 and carpooling is advised.

Weight Watchers Winning Points program

Weight Watchers meetings are held on Mondays from noon-12:30 p.m. in 253 Boyden. The program is open to all members of the Amherst community.

For more information call Cheryl (548-9404) or Jill (5-3321).

Summer session grades due

All summer session grades should be submitted to the Summer Session Registrar's Office by Tuesday, Aug. 28.

Male subjects needed for muscle function study

The Exercise Science department is recruiting healthy males ages 18-25 and 60-75 to participate in a study examining the effects of antioxidant supplementation on hand muscle function following a period of disuse. Participants will be required to wear a small plaster cast on the non-dominant hand for two weeks. Compensation is $150.

If interested, contact Maria Urso at 433-0510 or by e-mail (murso@excsci.umass.edu).

Employees needed for nutrition study

Classified employees are needed for a study of how people learn and how they respond to different messages about nutrition and cancer prevention. The research project is under the direction of Elena Carbone, assistant professor of Nutrition. Data collected will only be used for academic research purposes.

Participants will find out what kind of learning style works best for them, learn more nutrition and cancer prevention and receive a $10 gift certificate.

The time commitment is one hour.

Participants must be full-time classified UMass Amherst employees who do not work at the School of Public Health and Health Sciences; have no personal history of cancer (staff with a family history of cancer are still eligible to participate); be between the ages of 30 and 60; and be able to read and write English.

Sign up by e-mail (syyun@nutrition.umass.edu) and indicate the best method and time to be contacted.